By Daily Sports on October 23, 2021
Cristiano Ronaldo has shrugged off suggestions that he could retire from international duty with Portugal.
The forward, who has been one of the stronger sparks to a slow start for Manchester United this season, is fast approaching his 37th birthday.
But even as the years clock up, he says he has no intention of stepping back from the international stage, while adding that he believes that United can still claim trophies at Old Trafford this term.
“Why? I think it’s not my time yet,” Ronaldo told Sky Sports News when asked if he was considering international retirement. “It’s not what people want, it’s what I want.
“It’s when I feel that I’m not capable to run, to dribble, to shoot, if the power is gone ... but I still have that stuff so I want to continue because I’m still motivated. It’s the main word – [motivated] to do my stuff, to make people happy and my family happy and the fans and myself. I want to put the level even higher.
“You speak about Portugal but in the Champions League I have the most goals, the most wins, assists … everything. But I want to carry on. I like to play football. I feel good to make people happy.”
Ronaldo backs Red Devils to ride transition
Elsewhere, Ronaldo also reflected on United’s turbulent run of form, and has backed his team-mates to pull together and achieve their goals.
“We are in a moment in my opinion that Manchester (United) do a few changes; they buy me, they buy (Raphael) Varane and (Jadon) Sancho,” the veteran further explained.
“The adaptation will take time, even the system of the game that we play, but I think step by step we have to put it in our mind that everything is possible.
“I don’t speak only about my individual stuff, I put the collective in first place. To win things as a collective, it’s more easy to win individual stuff, so I believe that and I still think it’s possible.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Ronaldo will hope to help United to victory against the odds this weekend, when they play arguably their biggest game of the campaign against Liverpool.
The Portuguese will cross paths with the Red Devils’ historical rival in a north-west derby that could have a huge effect on the trajectory of the Premier League title race.
International comrade Bruno Fernandes, though, faces a race to be fit for the clash at Old Trafford. (Goal)
•PHOTO: Cristiano Ronaldo
Source Daily Sports
Posted October 23, 2021
You may also like...
Adesanya aims for comeback as UFC lands in...
Usyk Tipped To Beat ‘Vulnerable’ Fury — Scott...
Balotelli Scores Brescia Winner After Being Dropped
Nigerian Awards for Sporting Excellence: Counting down to...
Uruguay ‘working hard’ on 2030 World Cup bid...
CAF: Nigerian clubs to get $50,000 windfall

Osimhen strikes down stubborn Juve to book round 16 spot
Ogazi wins SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Falcons begin training ahead Lionesses clash
Newcastle cruise 9-3 into UCL last 16, Leverkusen dump out Olympiacos
Finidi wary of difficult Barau test
Pillars coach optimistic of NPFL survival
Cricket: NCF sets date for 2026 Women’s T20i
Unbeaten Oshoba keen to extend dominant UK run
Family supports Joshua’s return despite fears — Uncle
Tennis triggers buzz at 2nd Niger Delta Games
Gala fans to honour Osimhen’s late mother
Eagles to play Iran, Jordan in four-nation tourney
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,580 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,888 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,801 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,431 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,346 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,260 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,134 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,680 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,853 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,378 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,768 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,242 views)